Credit Crunch - Advice & Information

The name given to the effect financial institutions are currenlty experiencing due to a lack of available money across the market.  As money becomes tighter, banks are no longer able to lend or borrow from each other and compensate by increasing fees on mortgages, loans and credit cards.  This in turn affects the cost of everyday living and the prices of food, petrol and household bills.

The worst thing you can do when you owe money is to ignore the problem hoping it will go away.  The earlier you contact those you owe money to, the more flexible they are likely to be in coming to an agreement with you.

There are a number of organisations which offer debt counselling and advice.  They can help:

Every year across the UK, millions of pounds of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit go unclaimed.  We want to ensure that you  are getting all the help you are entitled to.  Our 'Take Up' campaign has been running since 2007 and has already benefited many local residents.  A mail drop to 1,991 households in Watcombe last year led to an additional 42 people claiming benefits totalling £9,660.83 in Housing Benefit and £7,082.72 in Council Tax Benefit.

Advisors are available if you are having problems meeting monthly payments, and can offer debt advice and a range of payment options that may help. Telephone 01803 207201 regarding payment difficulties and benefit advice.

You may also like to find out if you qualify for Housing or Council Tax Benefits by using our Benefits Calculator.  For further information and advice call our Helpline on 01803 207201.

We provide help and advice to those faced with the prospect of lsoing their home and court appearances.  You can contact our Housing Assessment Officer on 01803 208723.

Age Concern Telephone 01803 555181
Working with and for older people in Torbay.

BBC - Your Money
A wide variety of information about interest rates, your home, savings and investments, debts, tax and benefits, work life, pensions, benefits and tax credits and running a business.

Community Legal Advice Telephone 0845 345 4345
Offering free, confidential and independent legal advice.

Citizens Advice Bureau Telephone 01803 297803
Providing specialist debt advice.

Directgov - Managing your Money
Information and advice to help you manage your money , similar to the BBC site although it also includeds information about banking, insurance, financial security, your rights, credit cards and loans and charity donations.

Directgov: Keeping Your Home
If you are worried about keeping up with your mortgage repayments help is available.

Financial Assessment & Benefit Team (FAB) Telephone 01803 219770, 219768 or 219777.
This team provides personal welfare benefit advice for adult health and social care users and their carers.  They offer a confidential advice and information service on all  welfare benefits, to ensure you get the right advice and that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.  Home visits can be arranged and the team will also help you fill in any forms to ensure you receive the maximum entitlement to benefits.  

Jobcentre Plus Telephone 01803 356000
Jobs and Benefits advice

Money Saving Expert
Martin Lewis' website gives advice about how to save money and get the best deal around.  Covers mortgages, loans, utilities, banking, travel and insurance, as well as information about reclaims money, shopping deals and family and health issues.  Also advises on security aspects.

National Debt Line Telephone 0808 808 4000
Providing free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.

Talk About Debt
Talk About Debt is a completely independent website offering free and unbiased debt help from the UK's best debt charities.

Torbay Pound Telephone 0800 3169296
Torbay Pound is a joint approach between Torbay Council, local housing associations, credit unions and Devon Pound - the trading name for Devon Community Banking Partnership.  It gives people the choice to access a bank account, affordable loans and saving schemes, and gives advice on managing their money better.

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